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Nothing beats the buzz of opening a pack of Pokémon cards!
Of course, every pack has a rare card, and this is what we’re most interested in…
So the best way to open Pokémon cards is to reveal the rare card last.
But different sets have the cards placed in different orders.
So that’s what this article is going to help you with.
I detail where the rare card is placed in every Pokémon card set.
This is known as the Pokémon Card Pack Trick.
The Pokémon Card Trick for Each Set
Set |
Cards to The Back |
| 1999 Pokemon Base Set Card Trick | 3 |
| 1999 Pokemon Jungle Card Trick | 3 |
| 1999 Pokemon Fossil Card Trick | 3 |
| 2000 Pokemon Base Set 2 Card Trick | 3 |
| 2000 Pokemon Team Rocket Card Trick | 3 |
| 2000 Pokemon Gym Heroes Card Trick | 3 |
| 2000 Pokemon Gym Challenge Card Trick | 3 |
| 2000 Pokemon Neo Genesis Card Trick | 3 |
| 2001 Pokemon Neo Discovery Card Trick | 3 |
| 2001 Pokemon Neo Revelation Card Trick | 3 |
| 2002 Pokemon Neo Destiny Card Trick | 3 |
| 2002 Pokemon Legendary Collection Card Trick | No card trick |
| 2002 Pokemon Expedition Base Set Card Trick | 3 |
| 2003 Pokemon Aquapolis Card Trick | 2 |
| 2003 Pokemon Skyridge Card Trick | 3 |
| 2003 Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire Card Trick | 3 |
| 2003 Pokemon Dragon Card Trick | 3 |
| 2003 Pokemon Sandstorm Card Trick | 3 |
| 2004 Pokemon Team Magma vs Team Aqua Card Trick | 3 |
| 2004 Pokemon Hidden Legends Card Trick | 3 |
| 2004 Pokemon FireRed & LeafGreen Card Trick | 3 |
| 2004 Pokemon Team Rocket Returns Card Trick | 3 |
| 2005 Pokemon Deoxys Card Trick | 3 |
| 2005 Pokemon Emerald Card Trick | 3 |
| 2005 Pokemon Unseen Forces Card Trick | 3 |
| 2005 Pokemon Delta Species Card Trick | 3 |
| 2006 Pokemon Legend Maker Card Trick | 3 |
| 2006 Pokemon Holon Phantoms Card Trick | 3 |
| 2006 Pokemon Crystal Guardians Card Trick | 3 |
| 2006 Pokemon Dragon Frontiers Card Trick | 3 |
| 2007 Pokemon Power Keepers Card Trick | 3 |
| 2007 Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Card Trick | 3 |
| 2007 Pokemon Mysterious Treasures Card Trick | 3 |
| 2007 Pokemon Secret Wonders Card Trick | 3 |
| 2008 Pokemon Great Encounters Card Trick | 3 |
| 2008 Pokemon Majestic Dawn Card Trick | 3 |
| 2008 Pokemon Legends Awakened Card Trick | 3 |
| 2008 Pokemon Stormfront Card Trick | 3 |
| 2009 Pokemon Platinum Card Trick | 3 |
| 2009 Pokemon Rising Rivals Card Trick | 3 |
| 2009 Pokemon Supreme Victors Card Trick | 3 |
| 2009 Pokemon Arceus Card Trick | 3 |
| 2010 Pokemon HeartGold & SoulSilver Card Trick | 3 |
| 2010 Pokemon Heartgold & Soulsilver Unleashed Card Trick | 3 |
| 2010 Pokemon Heartgold & Soulsilver Undaunted Card Trick | 3 |
| 2010 Pokemon Heartgold & Soulsilver Triumphant Card Trick | 3 |
| 2011 Pokemon Call of Legends Card Trick | 3 |
| 2011 Pokemon Black & White Card Trick | 3 |
| 2011 Pokemon Emerging Powers Card Trick | 3 |
| 2011 Pokemon Noble Victories Card Trick | 3 |
| 2012 Pokemon Next Destinies Card Trick | 3 |
| 2012 Pokemon Dark Explorers Card Trick | 3 |
| 2012 Pokemon Dragons Exalted Card Trick | 3 |
| 2012 Pokemon Dragon Vault Card Trick | 3 |
| 2012 Pokemon Boundaries Crossed Card Trick | 3 |
| 2013 Pokemon Plasma Storm Card Trick | 3 |
| 2013 Pokemon Plasma Freeze Card Trick | 3 |
| 2013 Pokemon Plasma Blast Card Trick | 3 |
| 2013 Pokemon Legendary Treasures Card Trick | 3 |
| 2014 Pokemon XY Card Trick | 3 |
| 2014 Pokemon Flashfire Card Trick | 3 |
| 2014 Pokemon Furious Fists Card Trick | 3 |
| 2014 Pokemon Phantom Forces Card Trick | 3 |
| 2015 Pokemon Primal Clash Card Trick | 3 |
| 2015 Pokemon Double Crisis Card Trick | 3 |
| 2015 Pokemon Roaring Skies Card Trick | 3 |
| 2015 Pokemon Ancient Origins Card Trick | 3 |
| 2015 Pokemon BREAKthrough Card Trick | 3 |
| 2016 Pokemon BREAKpoint Card Trick | 3 |
| 2016 Pokemon Generations Card Trick | 3 |
| 2016 Pokemon Fates Collide Card Trick | 3 |
| 2016 Pokemon Steam Siege Card Trick | 3 |
| 2016 Pokemon Evolutions Card Trick | 3 |
| 2017 Pokemon Sun & Moon Card Trick | 4 |
| 2017 Pokemon Guardians Rising Card Trick | 4 |
| 2017 Pokemon Burning Shadows Card Trick | 4 |
| 2017 Pokemon Shining Legends Card Trick | 4 |
| 2017 Pokemon Crimson Invasion Card Trick | 4 |
| 2018 Pokemon Ultra Prism Card Trick | 4 |
| 2018 Pokemon Forbidden Light Card Trick | 4 |
| 2018 Pokemon Celestial Storm Card Trick | 4 |
| 2018 Pokemon Dragon Majesty Card Trick | 4 |
| 2018 Pokemon Lost Thunder Card Trick | 4 |
| 2019 Pokemon Team Up Card Trick | 4 |
| 2019 Pokemon Detective Pikachu Card Trick | 4 |
| 2019 Pokemon Unbroken Bonds Card Trick | 4 |
| 2019 Pokemon Unified Minds Card Trick | 4 |
| 2019 Pokemon Shiny Vault Card Trick | 4 |
| 2019 Pokemon Hidden Fates Card Trick | 4 |
| 2019 Pokemon Cosmic Eclipse Card Trick | 4 |
| 2020 Pokemon Sword & Shield Card Trick | 4 |
| 2020 Pokemon Rebel Clash Card Trick | 4 |
| 2020 Pokemon Darkness Ablaze Card Trick | 4 |
| 2020 Pokemon Champion’s Path Card Trick | 4 |
| 2020 Pokemon Vivid Voltage Card Trick | 4 |
| 2021 Pokemon Shiny Vault Card Trick | 4 |
| 2021 Pokemon Shining Fates Card Trick | 4 |
| 2021 Pokemon Battle Styles Card Trick | 4 |
| 2021 Pokemon Chilling Reign Card Trick | 4 |
| 2021 Pokemon Evolving Skies Card Trick | 4 |
| 2021 Pokemon Celebrations Card Trick | 4 |
| 2021 Pokemon Fusion Strike Card Trick | 4 |
| 2022 Pokemon Brilliant Stars Card Trick | 4 |
| 2022 Pokemon Astral Radiance Card Trick | 4 |
| 2022 Pokemon GO Card Trick | 4 |
| 2022 Pokemon Lost Origin Card Trick | 4 |
| 2022 Pokemon Silver Tempest Card Trick | 4 |
| 2023 Pokemon Crown Zenith Card Trick | 4 |
| 2023 Pokemon Scarlet & Violet Card Trick | 1 |
| 2023 Pokemon Paldea Evolved Card Trick | 1 |
| 2023 Pokemon Obsidian Flames Card Trick | 1 |
| 2023 Pokemon 151 Card Trick | 1 |
| 2023 Pokemon Paradox Rift | 1 |
| 2023 Pokemon Paldean Fates | 1 |
READ NEXT: Pokemon Card Rarity Guide
FAQs
How to Do The Pokémon Card Trick Correctly
*In this example, we’re going to say the rare card is ‘3 from the back’.
In order to do the Pokémon card trick correctly, you need to have the back of the cards facing you. This means you should be looking at the Pokéball and logo.
Next, you’re going to take the card that’s closest to you, and put it to the front.
Do this another two times.
You can now turn the cards around, to see the first card in your pile – safe in the knowledge that the rare card will be the last one you reveal.
How to Open Pokémon Card Packs The Right Way
Just a final word on opening Pokémon booster packs.
With the value of certain cards sky-rocketing in recent years, it’s worth taking care during your openings.
Easier said than done with kids, I know 😛
Some people open packs with scissors, but I highly discourage you from doing this. It’s so easy to accidentally catch a card.
Instead, carefully lift the flap on the back of the pack, like so…
Next, pinch the flap with one hand, and pinch the front of the pack with the other hand…
You should see the seam at the top start to come apart and open.
From here you can simply pull it apart and lift your cards out.
READ NEXT: Should You Get Your Pokemon Cards Graded?
